Environmentally Preferable

Janitorial Cleaning Products

for Commerical Applications

Fact Sheet
 Environmentally Preferable Janitorial Cleaning
Products For Commercial Applications

Table of Contents
We don’t just clean buildings for aesthetic
1. Risks and Hazards of Traditional Cleaners
reasons. We clean buildings to protect
A. Impacts on People
human health. How can anyone claim to be
B. Impacts on the Environment
protecting human health if they are using
2. Finding Safer Alternatives chemicals known to be hazardous?
3. Steps for Success
Safe products are commercially available at
A. Buy Certified Products
little to no additional cost. They work just as
B. Include Green Specifications in Bid Documents effectively as the other products. Why would
4. Local Agencies Cleaning Green anyone use anything else?”
5. Best Practices for Your Green Cleaning Program
6. Additional Resources – Scot Case, formerly with UL Environment,

7. Appendix - Sample Specifications EcoLogo Program

According to the Western Sustainability & Pollution Prevention Network, nearly one-third of all
janitorial cleaning products have ingredients that can cause harm. The highest risk cleaning products
are associated with cancer, reproductive disorders, poisonous ingredients, skin and eye irritation, or
respiratory ailments. These products, when used, can also pollute local water resources, harming fish,
plants and wildlife.

Janitorial cleaning products with reduced health, safety, and environmental impacts are readily available
and have been successfully used around the country in both public and private settings. Many facility
managers view switching to “green” cleaning products as a necessity to reduce worker complaints,
health and safety issues, and their associated costs.
This guide is intended to provide strategies and resources to help government agencies, schools,
businesses and other organizations make the transition to environmentally preferrable cleaning products
for the health of both their people and the planet.

FACT SHEET Environmentally Preferable Janitorial Cleaning Products for Commercial Applications 2
1. RISKS AND HAZARDS OF TRADITIONAL
CLEANERS
The cleaning industry uses an estimated 6 billion pounds of
chemicals each year, and many of these cleaning products have
significant adverse impacts on indoor air quality, human health,
and the environment. For example:
• Acids from toilet bowl cleaners may cause burns to the skin
and blindness to the eye.
• Traditional glass cleaners contain a form of glycol ethers
known to be a poison absorbed through the skin. DID YOU KNOW?
• Some industrial and household cleaning products can U.S. institutions spend more
create a respiratory hazard when used in poorly ventilated than $85 million a year on
areas.
medical expenses and lost
• Some cleaning agents contain chemical substances that time wages for janitors due to
can harm the earth’s protective ozone layer, or toxic chemical-related injuries.
chemicals that do not degrade easily and persist in the
environment.

A. Impacts on People
• Those who spend much of their time indoors, like students,
patients, and office workers, are particularly susceptible to
health problems caused by cleaning products.
• Children and younger students are especially vulnerable
to the chemicals found in cleaning agents because they
have the most contact with their surroundings and are most
susceptible to the long term impact of chemicals on their
developing bodies.
• Four million janitors in North America experience
unnecessarily high injury rates with some experts
estimating that 6 out of every 100 are injured by the
chemicals they use.
• The chemicals most frequently involved in poisonings
reported to U.S. Poison Control Centers are cleaning
products.

FACT SHEET Environmentally Preferable Janitorial Cleaning Products for Commercial Applications 3
B. Impacts on the Environment
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
VOCs contribute to poor indoor and outdoor air quality and are found in many cleaning products.
General purpose cleaners are responsible for approximately eight percent of total non-vehicular
emissions of VOCs.
• Energy and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
The chemical industry uses fossil fuels for energy in the production of cleaners. Fossil fuels
are non-renewable resources that emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, a major cause of
global warming. Production of cleaners requires energy from these fuels during raw material
extraction, manufacturing, transportation, use and disposal. Petroleum and natural gas are the
major sources of hydrocarbons from which the chemicals are made. Energy is also used to mine
phosphates, carbonates and silicates that are used in cleaners to remove grease and oil from
surfaces.

2. FINDING SAFER ALTERNATIVES

Concern over the effects of traditional cleaners has led to the development of a wide range of
environmentally preferable cleaning products that can handle the same commercial, industrial, and
residential cleaning needs as traditional cleaners. Examples of environmentally preferable commercial
cleaning products include:

• General Purpose Cleaners • Furniture Polish

• Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners • Disinfectants and Sanitizers
• Glass Cleaners • Liquid Hand Soap
• Floor Cleaners (Maintenance, Strippers, Finishes) • Cleaner/Degreasers
• Bathroom Cleaners

Many San Francisco Bay Area janitorial companies are now using certified “green”
products to clean buildings. They’re achieving cost savings by switching, especially
from worker’s compensation claims. Their employees appreciate reduced hazards,
and customers report cleaning quality continues to meet their high standards.

FACT SHEET Environmentally Preferable Janitorial Cleaning Products for Commercial Applications 4
3. STEPS FOR SUCCESS
Two proven steps your organization can take to transition to environmentally preferable products are:
• Buy products that are certified by Green Seal or ECOLOGO.
• Specify cleaning products and supplies in bid documents and service agreements.

A. Buy Certified Products

When buying certified products, choose third party certifying organizations that use open, transparent
standards and evaluate multiple attributes based on the lifecycle of the product. There are only two
certification programs that have been approved in the US for cleaning products: Green Seal & ECOLOGO.

Green Seal Certified Products ECOLOGO Certified Products

Green Seal has been developing life UL Environment’s ECOLOGO program

cycle-based sustainability standards and certifies products that meet multi-
conducting third party certification since attribute, life cycle-based sustainability
1989. standards.

Also consider using Green Seal’s More information and resources are
Cleaning Services Standard (GS-42). It available online at UL’s “Sustainable
applies to all indoor activities typically Products Guide.”
required to clean commercial, public,  http://industries.ul.com/environment

and industrial buildings including

planning, products, supplies, equipment,
procedures, training, communications
and labeling.
 http://www.greenseal.org

FACT SHEET Environmentally Preferable Janitorial Cleaning Products for Commercial Applications 5
B. INCLUDE GREEN SPECIFICATIONS IN BID DOCUMENTS
By including requirements in bid documents that contractors buy and
use certified products, you can help ensure the health and safety of
your staff. It can be as simple as a statement like the following in bid
documents and contracts you issue:

“…products shall be certified to the most recent Green

Seal or UL/ECOLOGO standard…”

Examples and References

The Alameda County General Services Agency solicited bids for green cleaners with very specific
requirements. An excerpt of the bid’s environmental specifications is available online.
 http://acgov.org/sustain/documents/JanitorialCleaningProductsBid_Excerpt.pdf

Additional examples of bid and contract language are provided here and in Appendix A:

• City of Portland, Oregon

 http://www.portlandoregon.gov/sustainabilityatwork/article/535832

• King County, Washington

 http://www.kingcounty.gov/operations/procurement/Services/Environmental_Purchasing/Products.aspx

• Commonwealth of Massachusetts
 http://www.mass.gov/anf/budget-taxes-and-procurement/procurement-info-and-res/procurement-prog-and-serv/epp-procurement-prog/

• State of Minnesota
 http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/topivcs/preventing-waste-and-pollution/environmentally-preferable-purchasing/state-contracts.html

To avoid misrepresentations or “green washing” of “environmentally safe”

or “green” cleaners, be sure to ask for and/or specify certified Green Seal
or ECOLOGO products.

FACT SHEET Environmentally Preferable Janitorial Cleaning Products for Commercial Applications 6
4. LOCAL AGENCIES CLEANING GREEN
Green cleaning products are successfully being used in at least 9 Alameda County jurisdictions:

• Alameda County • Fremont

• Castro Valley Sanitary District • Livermore
• Albany • Pleasanton
• Berkeley • San Leandro
• Dublin

Alameda County and Castro Valley Sanitary District further specify local vendors and the City of
Pleasanton extends their purchasing options to the Pleasanton Unified School District.

5. BEST PRACTICES FOR YOUR GREEN CLEANING PROGRAM

• Specify cleaning products and supplies that are certified by Green Seal or ECOLOGO.
Also specify training, reporting, packaging reduction and any other agency environmental
priorities.
• Consider adopting applicable procedures and practices in Green Seal’s commercial cleaning
standard (GS-42).
• Isolate janitorial supplies to dedicated closets to reduce occupants’ exposure.
• Require on-site training for staff in proper use of products from manufacturers or distributors.
• Consider reducing the total number of stocked cleaning products by using concentrated multi-
purpose cleaners which can be diluted to various strengths using a dilution control system.

Greener = more expensive? Don’t let this myth prevail.

We’ve asked, and Bay Area governments and businesses have reported no increase in costs after
switching to environmentally preferable cleaners. In fact, Santa Monica, California documented a
five percent price savings after its switch to green cleaners.

By switching to green cleaners, Santa Clara County saves 15,000 pounds annually in hazardous
wastes and associated costs, all without sacrificing quality or performance.

FACT SHEET Environmentally Preferable Janitorial Cleaning Products for Commercial Applications 7
6. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
There are many resources available to help identify products and their performance, see sample bids and
specifications, and read case studies of successful programs.

• StopWaste offers technical assistance to Alameda County public agencies for purchasing
environmentally preferable products. The website features resources such as additional fact
sheets, guides and links to other helpful environmental purchasing websites and documents.
 http://stopwaste.org/epp

• The RecycleWhere? website provides information on how and where to recycle any type of
recyclable item in Alameda County.
 http://recyclewhere.org

• Alameda County and the General Services Agency are committed to sharing their resources and
experiences to promote green purchasing in public agencies. Policies, success stories, bids,
specifications and other resources are available at the website.
 http://www.acsustain.org

• San Francisco’s Multi-Lingual Green Cleaning Program covers the benefits of green cleaning,
green cleaning products and procedures, and proper disposal of waste and hazardous waste.
 http://sfenvironment.org/article/business/custodial-green-cleaning

• SF APPROVED provides a directory of green products and services that meet San Francisco’s
health and environmental requirements .
 http://www.sfapproved.org

• The California Department of General Services Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program

provides information on how the State is succeeding in buying environmentally sustainable
products and services.
 http://www.dgs.ca.gov/buyinggreen

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Sustainable Marketplace provides information and
tools for institutional purchasers, consumers and manufacturers to help identify, evaluate and
purchase greener products and services.
 http://www.epa.gov/greenerproducts

• EPA’s Safer Choice label helps consumers, businesses, and purchasers find products that
perform well and are safer for human health and the environment.
 http://www.epa.gov/saferchoice

• Western Sustainability & Pollution Prevention Network (WSPPN) is a strategic alliance involving
local, state, federal and tribal pollution prevention (P2) programs throughout EPA Region 9.
 http://www.wsppn.org/studies/janitorial

• The Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN) offers procurement-related professional guides and
resources on socially responsible and environmentally sustainable purchasing.
 http://www.responsiblepurchasing.org (some resources are only available to members)

FACT SHEET Environmentally Preferable Janitorial Cleaning Products for Commercial Applications 8
7. APPENDIX: SAMPLE SPECIFICATIONS FOR BUYING
ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE CLEANING PRODUCTS
It’s helpful to specify your standards for green cleaning products in your janitorial bid and contract. It also
helps to specify requirements for training, labeling, dispensing systems, samples and reporting.

This Appendix includes excerpts from bids and contracts used by the City of Portland, Oregon, King
County, Washington and Alameda County General Services Agency for environmentally preferable
janitorial cleaning products.

A. City of Portland, Oregon Contract Specifications for Green Cleaning Products

 http://www.portlandoregon.gov/sustainabilityatwork/article/535832

Product Type Specification/Technical Requirement

General/Multi-Purpose Bathroom and • Green Seal GS-37 and/or UL 2759 certified 

Glass Cleaners (including descales/shower
cleaners)
Carpet Cleaners • Green Seal GS-37 certified and/or UL 2795 certified
Other hard surface cleaners • UL 2759 certified
Degreasers • UL 2792 certified
Hard Floor Care Cleaning Products • Green Seal GS-40 certified and/or UL 2777 certified 
Metal Polish • Percent Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) by weight must not exceed
30%
Disinfectants or Sanitizers  • EPA registered active disinfectant/sanitizer ingredient(s)
• Disinfectant/sanitizer shall not contain benzalkonium chloride (a
surfactant belonging to the quaternary ammonium compound group with
a CAS # 8001-54-5)
• Percent Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) by weight must not exceed 1%
for non-aerosol products or 70% for aerosol products. 
Graffiti Remover • Percent Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) by weight must not exceed
30% for non-aerosol products of 50% for aerosol products
• Products cannot contain methylene chloride, perchloroethylene, or
trichloroethylene. 
Misc. Specialty Cleaners spot removers, • Comply with the California Code of Regulations maximum allowable VOC
gum remover, etc. levels for the specific product category

FACT SHEET Environmentally Preferable Janitorial Cleaning Products for Commercial Applications 9
 Product Type Specification/Technical Requirement

Hand Soaps
Waterless Instant Hand Sanitizers
Miscellaneous Cleaning Products
• No antimicrobial agents (other than a preservative) except where required
by health codes and other regulations
• Green Seal GS-41 or UL 2784 certified
• Product must contain at least 60% alcohol
• UL 2783 certified
Identify the least-toxic option by:

• Seeking products the meet the intent of the Green Seal or ECOLOGO (UL)
standards
• Referring to the EPA Safer Choice for products recognized by that
program (e.g. deicers, graffiti removers) that are not certified by Green
Seal or ECOLOGO.
• Products do not contain known carcinogens, reproductive toxins,
asthamagens, and other toxic ingredients
• Minimize impact on indoor air quality and the environment (e.g. products
that are low-VOC and readily safely biodegrade in aquatic environments)
• Research least-toxic options from other resources as applicable.

B. King County, Washington Bid Document Excerpts for Training and Labeling
 http://www.kingcounty.gov/operations/procurement/Services/Environmental_Purchasing/Products.aspx

1. Training

Bidders shall offer comprehensive training and materials for the proper use of the chemicals bid
including step-by-step instructions for the proper dilution (including chemical dispensing equipment
training), use and disposal. Training shall be provided at no additional charge to King County. Bidder shall
submit with their bid a description of the training offered to include the following criteria:

• On-site initial training for use of products.

• Ongoing training either on-site or at designated sites throughout King County.
• A phone number, local to Seattle or toll-free, operated by staff knowledgeable of the products bid
for a minimum of eight (8) consecutive hours Monday through Friday anytime between 6:00AM
and 6:00PM, for departments to call to receive instructions and assistance on product use.
• Description of all available training including the scope.
• Identification of staff and personnel who conduct the training.

FACT SHEET Environmentally Preferable Janitorial Cleaning Products for Commercial Applications 10
Training format/tools:

• Instructional procedural video

• Printed resource manual
• Brochures or laminated reference cards

2. Labeling

The manufacturer’s label shall state clearly and prominently that dilution with water from the cold tap is
recommended and shall state the recommended level of dilution. The manufacturer shall also include
detailed instructions for proper use and disposal and for the use of personal protective equipment.

C. Alameda County, California Bid Document: Excerpts for Dispensers, Samples and Reports
 http://ww.acgov.org/sustain/documents/JanitorialCleaningProductsBid_Excerpt.pdf

1a. Dispensers

Dispensers will be required for some of the cleaning products, while for other products, it will be a
desirable specification. If none is stated, a dispenser is not desired by the County.

All dispensers for the cleaning products must be closed dilution-control system dispensers, which
automatically dilute concentrated products using water directly from the water pipes and prevent the
concentrated product from being accessed by users.

All dispensers will be provided to the County at no additional cost.

Most dispensers will be installed by the General Services Agency (GSA) Building Maintenance Building
(BMD). If installation is required by the vendor(s), this will be provided to the County at no additional
cost.

1e. Samples

The bidders may be requested to furnish 5 gallon sized, in a ready-to-use dilution, sample of product(s)
bid for examination by the County. Any product(s) so requested shall be furnished within five (5)
business days from the date of request and furnished at no cost to the County and sent to the GSA-
Purchasing Department.

FACT SHEET Environmentally Preferable Janitorial Cleaning Products for Commercial Applications 11
3. Reports

Contractor shall provide electronic quarterly usage reports to the GSA Sustainability Department and
to the Purchasing Department Procurement Specialist for Janitorial Cleaning products at no cost to the
County. These reports shall be submitted in a Microsoft Excel electronic file and be formatted in such a
way as to be sortable.

The County will work with the Vendor(s) to finalize the format of these reports upon contract award.
These reports will be issued within three weeks of the close of the previous quarter. Electronic and/
or hard copies of these reports shall be sent to additional County business units upon request. Ad hoc
reports shall be provided by the Contractor as required at no additional cost. Below is a description of the
minimum information that will be included in the report:

• Purchase date
• Customer number (provide key)
• Item part number
• Item description (e.g., brand, size, color, etc.)
• Type of unit used for pricing (e.g., each, box)
• Units purchased (i.e., order quantity)
• Shipped quantity (if not same as order quantity)
• Unit price (i.e., charge to customer)
• Order cost
• Certification standard met by product, if any (e.g. Green Seal, ECOLOGO or DfE (Safer Choice).

Disclaimer

The information provided in this Fact Sheet should be considered by public agency and business purchasers who are
interested in buying environmentally preferable products. StopWaste provides it as a public service in an attempt to
provide environmental benefits and reduce costs. Listing in this Fact Sheet is not a recommendation or an endorsement.
This Fact Sheet is not a substitute for the exercise of sound judgment in particular circumstances and is not intended as
recommendations for particular products or processes. StopWaste is the Alameda County Waste Management Authority, the
Alameda County Source Reduction and Recycling Board, and the Energy Council operating as one public agency.

This Fact Sheet was prepared by Kies Strategies & StopWaste in October 2015.

FACT SHEET Environmentally Preferable Janitorial Cleaning Products for Commercial Applications 12